COMPLYING WITH REGULATIONS
The state-owned company will design, construct and operate the Rewa River Water Supply Project. They currently operate in 31 Asian-Pacific countries creating more than 19,000 jobs
Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina) attaches great importance to the preservation of the environment, says its deputy general manager for Asia Pacific Business Development Liu Xianxing.
In April this year PowerChina’s hydropower subsidiary company, Sinohydro Corporation Limited, jointly implemented by Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited (HDEC) signed a $266 million contract with the Water Authority of Fiji.
The state-owned company will design, construct and operate the Rewa River Water Supply Project. Speaking at the signing, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said the project would benefit approximately 300,000 Fijians who would have a more reliable access to clean water. PowerChina currently operates in 31 Asian-Pacific countries creating more than 19,000 jobs through the implementation of 125 projects to date. Mr Liu said they did not pursue any projects without first acquiring the appropriate environment approvals. “Without environment approvals I do not believe our projects can kick off,” he said.
“So, for PowerChina once we get the job 100 per cent we have to comply with regulations and environment laws.
“We do our investigations at the tender stage and the document should address the environment issues.”
He said it is also incumbent on investors to prioritise the preservation of the environment at the earliest stage but as responsible contractors PowerChina prepared its methodologies and implementation documents well in advance.
“Once we do the constructions we have to address and avoid any damage onto the environment and also the stakeholders. We also have to engage our experts to prepare our documents. This is in line with PowerChina policies.”
PowerChina International Group Limited vice president Xu Jianglong said the company’s investments were concentrated in Belt and Road countries.
“Our investments overseas are mainly concentrated in Belt and Road Initiative countries,” Mr Xu said.
“By the end of 2018, our investments overseas exceeded 71 billion Chinese Yuan, with 85 per cent of these investments in the Belt and Road countries. “Our priority is an investment in energy and power, Infrastructure is complementary.”
Through its subsidiary company, the world class Chinese company also successfully completed the construction of the US$150 million (FJ$321million) Nadarivatu Dam in 2012.
Speaking at the signing, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said the project would benefit approximately 300,000 Fijians who would have a more reliable access to clean water.